AtHomeWithGloriaHunnifordOctober2016 - 97

H E A LT H ▲ FOCUSING PROBLEMS These can range from underdeveloped focusing skills to decline in the ability to focus. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye disease which can cause blurring and distortion of vision. EYE DISEASES Many, like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, have no symptoms in the early stages but can be detected by an optometrist during an eye examination. Such an exam can also ﬁnd these other, potentially serious, health problems: HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE Looking at the back of the eye reveals whether the small blood vessels (capillaries) have thickened, narrowed or burst. This is the only place in the body where small blood vessels can be viewed and problems here may be repeated in other places that cannot be so easily seen, such as in the kidneys. DIABETES Damage to the retina at the back of the eye (retinopathy) is a common complication of diabetes. It's estimated that every year 4,200 people in England are at risk of losing their sight as a result of diabetic retinopathy and, of these, 1,280 will become blind.** BRAIN TUMOUR Increased pressure within the scull, possibly due to a brain tumour, can cause the optic disc (where the nerves and blood vessels enter and leave the eye) to be pushed forward into the eye cavity. Your optometrist will be able to spot changes to the optic disc and any irregularities in the blood vessels. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Visual defects such as blurring and loss of vision, as well diﬃculty in focusing, can be early symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The disease causes inﬂammation of the optic nerve, which creates a banana -shaped vision defect called a scotoma. ANEURYSM A brain aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel in your brain weakens, causing one part to bulge out. Aneurysms often go unnoticed until the person is in grave danger, as they can be fatal. Fortunately, however, some early symptoms can be picked up during a routine eye examination. An optometrist will check for other symptoms, including drooping eyelids (a sign that a blood vessel may have ruptured or be leaking), increased eye pressure, bleeding in the retina and swelling of the optic nerve. GLORIA SAYS 'I had my cataracts removed a few years ago and it was painless. It was a strange sensation, but I can see more clearly. I have regular eye tests as they're so important. Your eyes are very precious.' EYE TESTS explained THERE'S NOTHING TO FEAR - THIS STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE WILL EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENS AT A ROUTINE EYE EXAMINATION: 1 Using a non-contact gadget called a tonometer, the optical assistant (or the optometrist) blows a few puffs of air at each eye in turn. The air bounces back at the instrument, giving a measurement of the pressure inside each eye. 2 Next, the optometrist uses an autorefractor (a computer-controlled machine) to take an electronic measurement of how well your eyes focus and obtain a readout of your approximate prescription. They usually also ask about your general health and lifestyle. 3 An instrument called a retinoscope is used to bounce a light beam off the back of your eye and back into the instrument. Different lenses focus the reﬂected light beam until it is steady - this gives a more accurate guide to the prescription you need. 4 You are asked to read letters and numbers on a test chart through different strength lenses. The results for one eye may be different to the other, so each eye is tested individually before both are tested together. WORDS: OLIVER BRAMLEY, IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES, SOURCES: *RNIB **CPD.SCREENING.NHS.UK 5 The retinas at the back of your eyes are examined using an ophthalmoscope. The blood vessels and the front of the optic nerve are also checked. To do this, the optometrist will darken the room and sit quite close to you, while shining a bright light into each eye in turn. The light may leave shadows on your vision, but these soon fade. 6 The surface areas of your eyes are checked for damage. The cornea, iris and lens are checked for abnormalities and scratches with a powerful, illuminated microscope called a slit lamp. 7 Your ability to focus at varying distances is then tested to determine whether you need different prescriptions for reading and distance. NHS SIGHT TESTS ARE FREE EVERY TWO YEARS FOR PEOPLE AGED OVER 60, AND EVERY YEAR FOR THOSE OVER 70 8 After your eye examination, your optometrist passes on their ﬁndings and recommendations to a dispenser, who helps you to choose your new glasses, should you need them. www.athomemagazine.co.uk NOVEMBER 2016 | 097 http://CPD.SCREENING.NHS.UK http://www.athomemagazine.co.uk

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